Means for holding the fore-ends of firearms in position.



' 4 A. P. cums.-

MEANS FOR HOLDING TH E FO RE ENDS 0F FIREARMS IN POSITION.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 28. I913- Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

V NN V/JW/W/Z m a 5? R I -1 I w i Q m N%. \QW MN. #N M a g 2 w 1 1 I I J I 0v m crap STATES PATENT" OFFIE.

ARTHUR P. CURTIS, 0F FULTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOIR. TO THE HUNTER. ARMS 00., 0F IEUL'ION, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NE'W YORK.

MEANS For: HOLDING THE roan-nuns or FIREARMS IN rosrrron.

' Application filed March 28, 1913.

To all whom it may concern V Be it known that I, ARTHUR P. CURTIS, of Fulton, in the county of ()swegoand State of New York, have invented a new and useful Means for Holding the Fore-Ends of Firearms in Position, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to firearms and has for its object particularly simple and efficient means for holding the removable foreend in position; and the invention consists in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describingthis invention reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is. a side elevation, partly broken away, of a firearm embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the fore-end and contiguous parts of the firearm. v

Fig. 3 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view through the fore-end showing the catch in plan.

Fig. 4 is an enlargedtransverse sectional fragmentary view through the loop lug and fore-end iron, the wood portion of the foreend being removed.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the fore-end iron showing the manually controlled catch in dotted lines in itsspread position. Y

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the manually controlled catch.

This gun comprises a removable fore-end, and means for holding the fore-end in position, said means including a manually controlled or operable catch element.

I have here illustrated my invention as embodied in a break-down'shot gun.

' 1 is the frame, 2 the barrel and 3 the removable foreend, the barrel having the usual loop lug 4 which extends into a slot 5 in the fore-end iron 6.

The means for securing the fore-end in positioncomprises the usual movable spring catch 7 pivoted at 8 to the fore-end iron which spring 7 is held from abnormal displacement 'by a spring 9-, and the manually controlled catch also 'coacts with the lug 4. The spring catch is as usual in the form of a loop.

10 is the manually operable catch element, said element having a spring pressed portion Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 191 Serial No. 757,329.

movable laterally into and out of interlock- :ing engagement With' the side face of the loop lug 4 and as here shown the catch element is formed double, that is U-shape, and includes branches or arms, having heads or jaws 11 on opposite sides of the loop lug '4 and movable laterally into and out of grooves 12 formed in opposite sides of the loop lug.- y

This catch element 10 is formed of spring metal and the branches thereof are sprung by their own resiliency into the grooves 12; and the jaws or heads 11 thereof are sprung out ofthe grooves by surfaces associated with the fore-end iron and the branches of said element 10, and as here shown the foreend is formed with forwardly facing'converging surfaces 13 which coact with diverging surfaces 14 at the ends of the heads or jaws 11, when relative movement of the surfaces 13 and the element 10 is effected.

The, jaws 11 are also formed at their op posing edges with beveled faces 15 facing upwardly and. arranged to engage the lower outer edges of the lug 4 when the fore-end is being swung into its normal position about the axis of the face 16 at the rear end of the fore-end, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, these beveled faces 1.5 causing the jaws 11 to spread apart and have a ratcheting action into the grooves 12 of the lug 4 so that manipulation of the element 10is not necessary when the fore-end is being placed in position onthe barrel.

In thisembodiment of my invention the .catch element 10 is slidable lengthwise of the foreend and the operating member is connected to the element 10, a

The element 10 is arranged in a recess or slot 17 formed in the front end portion of the fore-end iron, this recess or slot opening into the slot 5 for the loop lug 4 and constituting a guideway for the member 10;

18 is the operating member for the catch element 10, said member extending lengthwise of the fore-end in a bore in the foreend wood, and having a head 19 exposed at the front end of the fore-end. The operating member consists of a rod fixed at its rear end to the catch element 10.

In the illustrated form of my invention the element 10 terminates at its front end in a lug 20 having an open ended slot 21 and the rod 18 is formed with grooves on opposite sides thereof which form a head 22, the

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grooves receiving the walls of the lug 20 on opposite sides of the open ended slot 21,

In operation, when it'is desired to remove the fore-end, the head19 is pressed rearwardly, this moving the element 10 rearwardly causing the cam surfaces 13 and 14 to spread the jaws or heads 11 apart out of engagement with the grooves 12 of the loop lug 4. The front end ofthe fore-end can then be pulled downwardly and the fore-end removed: in the usual manner.

' In replacing the fore-end the surface 16 is first placed in position at the front end -of the frame 1 and the spring 7 placed in operative relation to a shoulder 45- on the loop lug a. The fore-end is then pressed into operative position in the usual manner, the jaws 11 ratcheting into engagement with the loop lug t owing to the inclined or beveled faces 15. i.

By the use of'a manually operable catch, a relatively light spring 7 can be employed 1 so that the removal of the fore-end can be used. By'placi'ng the head of the operating accomplished with comparatively little effort and the fore-end is as firmly held in position as when the usual stifi' spring is member at the front end of'the fore-end, the

fore-end is removable by substantially the same movement of the hand in the same manner as heretofore, the finger pressing I rearwardly on the head 19 also being in position to pull downwardly on the front end of the fore-end to facilitate the removing of r the fore-end, the head 19 being beveled and checked as shown.

' l/Vhat Iclaim is: i

1-. A firearm comprising a removable foreend, a barrel formed'with alugy'and means for holding the fore-end in position includingan automatic spring catch, coacting with a rearwardly facing surface of the lug, and

a manually controlled catch'carried by the fore-end and including a resilient arm havinga free end located-adjacent the engaging end'of said'spring catch and coacting with 'a side of the lug, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I a

2. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug on the under side thereof, a fore-end, and

'meansassociated with the fore-end and ootially as and for the purpose described.

In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug having a groove on one side thereof, a fore-end, and means carried by the fore-end and coacting with the lug for holding the fore-end in position, said means including a manually operable element slidable lengthwise of the fore-end and provided with a laterally movable part normally interlock. ing in said groove, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug having. grooves on, opposite sides thereof, a fore-end and means c'oac'ting with the lug for holding the fore-end in position, said means including manually operable catches slidable lengthwise of the fore-end normally interlocking with the grooves respectively, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 7 I

5. A firearm including a barrel having a depending lug, a removable, fore-end, a catch movable longitudinally and laterally into and out of engagement with the lug, and

an operating member movable lengthwise of the fore-end and being exposed atthe front end of the fore-end, substantially as and for the purpose specified. 1

l B. Ina firearm, a fore-end, and means for securing the fore-end in position'comprising an element slidable lengthwise of the foreend and having a part movable laterally, substantially as and for the purpose set forth;

7 In a firearm, a foreend, and means for securing the fore-end in position comprising an element sli-dable. lengthwise of the: foreend, and having a part movable laterally,

and means for shifting the element lengthwise, said means being connected to the element and extending lengthwise of'the foreend andbeing exposed at the front end of the fore-end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8.'In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end having means coacting with the lug for holding the fore-end in position,

said means comprising-a -U-shaped member movable lengthwise of ithe fore-end and having yielding branches with the 'free ends thereof extending rearwardly and movable laterally into andout of interlocking engagement with the lug and means on the fore-end for cooperating with the free ends of said branches for spreading them to dis engage the lug. during the lengthwise movement of the "member; substantially'as and I for the purpose specified.

9. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end and means associated with the fore-end and icoacting with the lug for holding the forewend in position, said means comprising a catch movable lengthwise of the fore-end and. having a part'movable laterally into and out of interlockingzengagement with the lug, and Jan operating member connected to the catch and extending lengthwise of the fore-end andbeing exposed at'the front end .of 1the'foreend,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In afirearm, a fore-end, and means for holdingthe fore-end in position including I fore-end and connected to effect the relative movement of the actuating means and said element, substantially as and for the purpose 11. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, and a removable fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position,

said means including an element slidable lengthwise of the fore-end and including opposite laterally movable spring arms having 1 means near their free ends for engaging sides of the lug, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, and a removable fore-end, having means coacting with the lug for holding the foreend in position, and a catch slidable lengthwise of the fore-end and including opposing spring arms having means near their free ends for engaging sides of the lug, the foreend and the arms having coacting surfaces arranged to spread the arms during sliding movement of the catch in one direction, sub stantially as and for the purpose described.

18. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, and a removable fore-end having means coacting with the lug for holding the fore end in position, and an element slidable lengthwise of the fore-end and including opposing spring arms having means near their free ends for engaging sides of the lug, the fore-end and the arms having coacting surfaces arranged to spread the arms during sliding movement of said element in one direction, and an operating member connected to said element and extending lengthwise of the fore-end and being exposed on the front end of the fore-end, substantially as and for the purpose specified. I

14. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including an element slidablelengthwise of the fore-end and having a laterally movable portion coacting with the lug, and a fixed surface arranged in the path of said element to move said portion laterally out of engagement with the lug during lengthwise movement of the element in one direction, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including a catch slidable lengthwise of the fore=end and having a laterally movable portion coacting with the lug, and a stationary cam surface coacting with the catch to move said portion laterally out of engagement with the lug during lengthwise movement of the catch in one direction, and an operating member ext-ending lengthwise of the foreend and having a head exposed at the frpnt end of the fore-end, substantially as and for the purpose described.

16. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lag, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and cOacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including a U-shaped element having rearwardly extending arms having parts located on opposite sides of the lug and provided with jaws at their free ends coacting with the lug, and means for moving the U-shaped element lengthwise of the fore-end and relatively to the lug and thereby moving the jaws thereof into and out of engagement with the lug, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including a U-shaped element having the arms thereof extending on opposite sides of the lug and provided with catches coacting with the lug, means located to the rear of the normal position of said element for spreading the branches outwardly comprising surfaces coacting with, the branches, said spreading means and the U-shaped element having relative movement one toward and from the other, and an operating member connected to effect the relative movement of the actuating means and said element, substantially as and for the purpose set forth;

18. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including a U-shaped element having the arms thereof extending onopposite sides of the lug and provided with catches coacting with the lug, means located to the rear of the normal position of said element for spreading'the branches outwardly comprising surfaces coacting with the branches, said spreading means and the U-shaped element havingrelative movement lengthwise of the fore-end, and an operating member connected to efi'ect the relative movement of the actuating means and said element, the operating member being movable lengthwise of the fore-end and having a head exposed at the front end of the fore-end, substan tially as and for the purpose described.

19. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a foreend, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with the lug to hold the fore-end in position, said means including a U-shaped element having the opening between its branches rearwardly presented, said element being slidablelengthwise of the fore-end and having its branches extending on opposite sides of the lug, and provided with jaws coacting with the lug means arranged in the path of movement said element for causing the branches thereof to spread laterally during lengthwise movement of said element in one direction, and an operating member connected to said element, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

20. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug, a fore-end, and means associated with the fore-end and coacting with thelug to hold the fore-end in position, said means in cluding a U-shaped element slidable'lengthwise of the fore-end and having its branches extending on opposite sides of the lug, and provided with jaws coacting with the lug, means arranged in the path of movement of said element for causing the branches thereof to spread laterally during lengthwise movement of said element in one direction, and an operating memberconnected to said ele ment, the operating member extending lengthwise of the fore-end and having a head exposed at the front end of the foreend, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In a firearm, a barrel formed with a lug provided with lateral shoulders, a foreend including a fore-end iron having a slot for receiving the lug, and a recess at its front end communicating with the slot, U-shaped element slidable lengthwise in the recess and having its branches extending on opposite sides of the lug in position to coact with the shoulders of the lug, the fore-end iron being provided with surfaces arranged to coact with the arms of said element to spread said arms during the movement of said element in one direction, and an operating member connected to said element to slidethe same into engagement with said surfaces, said member extending lengthwise of the fore-end and having a head exposed at the front end thereof, substantially as and for the purpose, specified,

22. In a firearm and in combination, a barrel having a dependinglug provided with upwardly presented shoulders on opposite iron and a transversely extending part at the front of the iron forming a continuation 1 of the lengthwisely extending parts, said iron having openings leading laterally from the rear ends of the channel into the lug receiving opening, the side walls of the transverse openlngs' diverging outwardly, and a. U-shaped member having spring branchesprovided at their free ends with inwardly extending lugs, the side walls of each lug converging inwardly, said member having,

its branches located in the lengthwisely extending parts of the channel and its inter-- mediate portion located in the transversely extending portion of the channel, and its lugs projecting into the transversely extending openings, and means for'shifting' said member against the tension of its branches, substantially as vand for the purpose described.

23. In a firearm and in combination, a barrel having a depending lug provided with upwardlypresented shoulders on opposite sides thereof, a fore-end iron having a vertical opening for receiving the lug, and laterally extending openings communicating with the vertical opening, said lateral openings having inclined rear walls, a U-shaped member having spring branches provided at their free ends with inwardly extending lugs having inclined ends complemental to said rear walls of the lateral openings, and means for shifting said member against the tension on its branches caused by the cooperation of the inclined walls and coacting ends of the lugs, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereuntov signed my name in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Fulton, in the county of Oswego, in the State of New York, this 10th day of March, 1913.

ARTHUR P. CURTIS.

Witnesses:

C. A. BACHE, I-I. CARR.

I Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

